Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking

This bonus chapter is a small gift—may it bring you a touch of tranquility.

--

After leaving the Divine Foresight Manor, the Trailblazers didn't rush to request reinforcements from Yukong. Instead, they found a place to rest and discuss their next steps.

"This General Jing Yuan… is quite the character," Welt said, his expression serious as his concern about their mission deepened.

"Uncle Yang, do you find him odd? Personally, I thought he was easy to talk to—way better than that stern Diviner," March 7th remarked, her initial impression of the charming general leaning positive.

"Especially in how he treats others. The difference is pretty stark," Stelle added, agreeing with March 7th.

"I don't mean to criticize, but isn't this just the classic 'good cop, bad cop' routine?"

Welt, seasoned in political maneuvering, had seen such acts countless times before. It was clear to him that Jing Yuan wasn't being entirely forthright. Still, he couldn't pinpoint the exact source of his unease.

His gaze shifted to Venti, whose attitude during the encounter had been especially intriguing.

"It might be a bit late to ask, but Venti… do you know that General? He seemed to think highly of you."

"Hm… if you mean know in the sense of mutual recognition, then yes. But it's more one-sided—both ways."

Venti took a leisurely sip of his tea, his response as unhurried as his demeanor.

Two people who know each other, but only one-sidedly?

This peculiar answer made Welt pause for a moment before continuing.

"And what's your take on his request for us to capture Kafka?"

"Why would he want us to track down Kafka? That's simple. Everyone remembers why our 'old friend' asked us to come here, right?"

Venti's tone shifted to seriousness as he reminded them.

"Blade!"

Welt was the first to respond, the missing piece of the puzzle snapping into place. During their earlier conversation, Jing Yuan's constant verbal sparring and his apparent familiarity with Venti had distracted Welt from seeing it.

Now, with Venti's prompt, everything clicked.

"That's it. Since the Cloud Knights have already captured a member of the Stellaron Hunters, they could use him as bait to force Kafka to reveal herself. There's no need to ask us to chase her down—it's time-consuming and requires a great deal of trust."

"So either Blade escaped, or something else has forced the Xianzhou to rely on outside help like us?" Stelle speculated, showing her sharp intuition.

"Precisely. That's one plausible explanation. Whether Blade's capture is genuine or not, it's highly likely he's no longer under the Xianzhou's control. And whatever Kafka plans to do while lying low warrants further scrutiny."

Welt's lips curled into a faint smile. He didn't mind the mental exercise; it reminded him of his younger days.

"If Blade really escaped, it likely didn't happen at the same time we arrived. Otherwise, Jing Yuan's response would be far too calculated—almost as if he gambled the Xianzhou's safety on the Astral Express. No matter how much he trusts us, that's an impossible decision for someone in his position."

"Additionally, everything about this hinges on the Stellaron Hunters' setup. Without Kafka's intercepted communication and Silver Wolf's deliberate identification in the entry logs, we'd lack any compelling reason to involve ourselves in this incident."

"To the Xianzhou, we would merely be outsiders seeking medical help, caught in the misfortune of the Stellaron's disaster."

"Without these misleading signs, a Stellaron alone wouldn't push the Luofu to risk its reputation by seeking our help. And we'd remain a wildcard beyond Elio's 'script,' something the Stellaron Hunters would go to great lengths to avoid."

Welt paused, taking a sip of water offered by March 7th, who was dazzled by his deductions.

"Thank you, March."

He continued, summarizing his thoughts:

"For the Stellaron Hunters, the reason for Kafka's presence here should no longer exist if her companion is free. Yet she remains, suggesting either a lingering interest in the Stellaron or another unfinished agenda.

"Whether General Jing Yuan is aware of this or not, he needs our help to uncover the truth. Perhaps it's to avert a greater crisis, or maybe it's a calculated move in a grander game. Either way, we now have the qualifications to get closer to the core of this event."

"Whoa! That's amazing, Uncle Yang!"

March 7th's eyes sparkled in admiration, marveling at his ability to infer so much from seemingly fragmented information.

Even Stelle was impressed. She had known little about the senior member of the Express, far less than she knew about Himeko. She'd only ever seen Welt as a kind and steady presence, never realizing how sharp he could be.

Was he this perceptive because he'd fallen victim to so many traps before? Stelle wondered.

"It's just a bit of reasoning," Welt said humbly, adjusting his glasses. "Though there are still gaps in the information, particularly concerning Venti, since our purpose here revolves around him. Without more details, I can't be certain."

At that, everyone turned to Venti, the focus of their mission.

"Mm-hmm, Uncle Yang said exactly what I was thinking!"

Venti nodded enthusiastically, trying to give the impression that their thoughts were perfectly aligned.

"No way! You were totally zoning out halfway through!" March 7th accused, clearly unconvinced.

"Yeah, Venti's daydreaming is way too obvious," Stelle added, delivering a sharp but playful jab.

Welt, however, caught a subtle cue in Venti's response and exchanged a brief, knowing glance with the bard. It seemed there was more to discuss privately.

With their analysis complete, the group circled back to the practical question.

"So, what's our next move?" March 7th asked, instinctively deferring to Welt.

"Invite them to dinner, cut off the leader, and make them our ally!" Stelle answered immediately, earning a glare from March.

"This isn't the time to mess around! But… maybe there is someone we could invite?"

March 7th's voice trailed off as she recalled a possible candidate.

Welt, seeing them think for themselves, decided to leave the next course of action in their hands.

And so—

---

Palace of Astral Divination.

Upon reaching the Palace of Astral Divination, the Trailblazers formally presented their request to Yukong, who was inwardly exasperated by Jing Yuan's decision to delegate the task to her.

"I understand the situation. Since the General has issued the order, the Sky-Faring Commission will fully cooperate. The investigation into the Stellaron Hunters is now entrusted to you. I'll issue access permits for facilities across the Astral Sea to facilitate your mission."

"See? That's more like it! Great cooperation! Do a good job, and I'll be sure to put in a good word with your General. Maybe your annual KPI will be secured!"

March 7th, clearly enjoying her newfound authority, couldn't resist a bit of boasting.

Yukong pressed a hand to her temple, unsure how to respond to March 7th's overconfidence. She finally mustered a measured reply.

"Don't celebrate too soon… Manpower is currently stretched thin across all ports due to ongoing repairs. For now, I can only assign Tingyun to assist you. She'll handle your itinerary. As for deploying 'elite' forces to track the Stellaron Hunters, that will require more time. You can either consult Tingyun or take a short break at a nearby inn."

"We can do both!"

"That's entirely up to you."

Her farewell was curt, and she watched the group leave with a cold gaze. Once they were gone, she glanced at a private message on her screen from her daughter, her frustration mounting.

Of all times to act recklessly… Hasn't she learned her lesson after the last incident? That disaster was terrifying enough—I won't let anything like it happen again.

Yukong's efficiency was undeniable. Not long after the group left, their phones buzzed with a message from Tingyun, arranging to meet at the port later that afternoon.

When they arrived, Tingyun stood waiting, her alluring figure casting an elegant silhouette against the bustling backdrop. Her presence turned many passersby into gawking onlookers.

However, as the Trailblazers approached, Tingyun turned around, her expression clouded with a mix of weariness and reluctant resignation.

"Ah, it seems fate binds me to you, dear benefactors. Barely half a day has passed, and Lady Yukong has already assigned me to look after you."

"You don't sound too thrilled about it," Stelle quipped, cutting straight to the point and leaving Tingyun visibly flustered.

"Not at all! It's an honor to assist you. But if you could kindly mention my diligence to the General next time, it would be the greatest reward—perhaps even my ticket out of this misery."

"Uh… based on my travels, even if you switch jobs, you're probably doomed to stay overworked," March 7th added, twisting the knife.

Tingyun's face fell, the teasing leaving her at a loss for words. Fortunately, Welt stepped in.

"All right, you two, that's enough. Show some respect to Miss Tingyun."

"Exactly! Offend the guide too much, and you might wake up on a Black Star Skiff headed straight for the Alchemist's Lab as test subjects," Venti added with a chuckle.

Whatever gratitude Tingyun had for Welt evaporated at Venti's joke. The mere mention of such a grim possibility sent her scrambling to change the topic.

"Right! Lady Yukong has booked the 'Celestial Dream Retreat' for your stay. You've had a long day; why not enjoy some tea and rest there?"

"That sounds perfect. All this running around, and I haven't even had a chance to message Himeko," March 7th said, already feeling the day's fatigue.

Following Tingyun's lead, the group arrived at the inn. It bore the distinct aesthetic of the Xianzhou—elegant but compact. Compared to the spacious Windblume Chapel they'd stayed at on Jarilo-VI, this inn seemed almost quaint.

"Honestly, the adventures on Jarilo-VI felt the most relaxing out of all this," March 7th muttered under her breath.

Curious about the name, Stelle asked, "Was that a planet you explored before?"

"Yep! It's also Venti's hometown," March 7th explained, nodding enthusiastically.

"Back then, it was just me, Uncle Yang, and Dan Heng investigating sudden climate shifts. Turns out, it was all Venti's doing. I even gave him an awful nickname—'The Singing Beggar.'"

Recalling the past seemed to rejuvenate March 7th, who grinned mischievously at Venti's exasperated expression.

"Pfft." Stelle couldn't hold back her laughter at the mental image. Even Tingyun's ears perked up as her tail wagged slightly, betraying her amusement.

"And that's one of the few places where people didn't immediately try to kill us after saying hello. The local leadership was also super friendly, and we got to join a festival called Windblume Festival. That's when we first met Venti."

Nostalgia made March 7th talkative, while Stelle felt a growing yearning to experience such an adventure herself.

"Maybe next year I'll get to join in," she mused.

"The festival's annual, but if you'd like, I wouldn't mind creating a whole new holiday just for you," Venti interjected with a grin.

Though he hadn't returned to Belobog recently, he still kept in touch with Bronya and Seele via messages. Lately, rumors of visitors from other worlds arriving on the frost-bitten planet had reached him, though there had been no reports of conflict.

Whether it was due to the divine power Venti had left behind or the preparations made with Estelle and Herta, Belobog seemed well-protected.

"When this mission on the Xianzhou wraps up, let's go back for a visit," Stelle suggested, her smile serene.

March 7th, however, couldn't resist poking fun at their seemingly flirtatious exchange, bringing up Bronya and Seele to fluster Venti further.

Welt watched the playful bickering with a nostalgic look in his eyes. Before long, though, he turned his attention to Tingyun, discussing the specifics of Yukong's arrangements.

Thanks to Jing Yuan's extravagant promise, all of the Trailblazers' expenses during their stay were covered. Yukong had spared no expense, booking the best accommodations and ensuring they were treated like honored guests.

After indulging in a luxurious Xianzhou feast, Tingyun finally shifted the conversation to the matter of the Stellaron Hunters.

---

Ah, Reader. You've stayed for the bonus chapter—how delightful.

Even amidst the quiet of eternity, there's joy to be found in shared moments like this.

If you wish to offer your strength, step forward: [patreon.com/WiseTL].

Each effort helps to shape a world where such moments can thrive.

— Ei